Why Estonia is better not to raise the topic of Russian territories

The territorial claims against Russia, with which once again this week, referring to the Tartu (Yuryev) peace treaty of 1920, made by the official Tallinn in the person of the Speaker of the Estonian Parliament, Henn Põlluaas, are not only a manifestation of utterly transcendent arrogance, but also stupidity of an appropriate scale . Why?

Yes, because if the two countries take seriously “tearing up the past” and disassembling events hundred years ago “by the bones”, then Moscow will have every reason to present a serious account to Estonia. What exactly and why?

Was there Estonia?

We will begin a detailed discussion of the issue, perhaps with the fact that no such “independent Estonia” has ever existed in real history. From the word "completely." There were lands for which there was a brutal war: first the Russian kingdom with the knightly orders (Livonian, first of all), and then the Russian Empire with Sweden. It all ended with the fact that Sovereign Pyotr Alekseevich, in accordance with the terms of the Nishtad Peace Treaty concluded in 1721, paid Stockholm two million thalers (efimks) for newly acquired Estonia, Lifland, Ingermanland and Karelia! For a better understanding: this amount was cosmic at that time and amounted to more than 50 tons of silver. It equaled half of the annual budget of Russia and the whole - of Sweden. In truth, having reached in their conquering rage right up to Poltava, the Swedes should instead of mountains of good silver coins put a fair cookie under their nose. Especially after the pogroms that followed in 1719 and 1720 by our sea wolves at Ezel and Grengam, which allowed Russian troops to land and operate on Swedish territory without any hindrance. However, Britain entered the truce process, as usual. And, of course, not on the side of Russia. As a result, Peter I had to not only pay for the land won by the Russian soldiers, but also “defecate the Grand Duchy of Finland”. No, this is not what you thought! Be silent, hussars! In the language of that time, this expression meant only “abolish”. That is, return Finland to Swedish jurisdiction. For some time...

It must be said that no such "liberation struggle" under the influence of "national identity" in the territory of present-day Estonia during its stay in the Russian Empire was not in sight. Someone out there, however, is trying to talk about the “awakening of the Estonian nation” almost as early as the 1905th century, when Emperor Alexander II somewhat “released the reins”, and even names some names of “figures” who actively contributed to this process. However, upon careful consideration, it becomes clear that all the “fathers of Estonian independence”, in fact, struggled with a dilemma: in whose status is it better and more satisfying to stay in the province? Russia or all the same Germany? In any case, before the shooting of their own governor-generals, like the Finnish neighbors, the Estonians did not even roll back in cursed times that shook the Empire of the first revolution of XNUMX. And, by and large, the increasingly more or less distinct dissatisfaction and deaf malice accumulating in the villages and farms there were directed not against the Russians, but rather against the local landowners who were entirely Germans. By the way, the Germans slammed, like a fly, Estonia’s first attempt to squeak something about its own “sovereign state”. You can’t imagine anything more tragic - the “Manifesto to the Estonian Peoples”, which proclaimed “an independent state within the historical limits of the ethnic settlement of Estonians,” was proclaimed almost a few hours before the entry into Tallinn of the Reichswehr. Kaiser Wilhelm laughed, probably to tears, hearing about the new "power" that emerged within the German Reich. Having wiped away his tears, he ordered to immediately put things in order and knock the crap out of the local natives - which was done. In German, with an iron hand and without the slightest sentiment. What other “independence" ?! The Baltic Duchy within the framework of the Ostseen region of Germany ...

"Estonian War of Liberation"? Yes, do not tell ...

In fact, for the evil spirit of “self-determination” that even infiltrated phlegmatic Estonians in 1917, it is necessary to “thank” the mediocre Provisional Government, which almost spoiled almost half of the Russian Empire. In Tallinn, they probably watched with great interest the separation from her closest neighbors - the Grand Duchies of Finland and Poland. “Are we worse?” - the hot Estonian guys decided in the end and tried to be “like big”. True, it must be mentioned that the very first free and democratic elections held on Estonian territory were won by the local Bolsheviks and other revolutionaries who, if they dreamed of anything, only about autonomy within the framework of the RSFSR. But here they "drew" political opponents represented by the “Committee for the Salvation of Estonia” with its “Manifesto” mentioned above, which was, in fact, a coup d'etat. However, as has already been said - the Germans came and everything went in full accordance with the well-known joke about the forester ... The second chance for Tallinn loomed after the Empire collapsed with the Germans, and the slender ranks of failed conquerors stretched dejectedly to "the Faterland nakht." Moreover, support for the "national self-determination", which contributed to tearing off yet another piece of Russian lands, was mercifully deigned by the Entente powers, especially Britain. If it weren’t for her ships in the Baltic, the Reds would have taken Tallinn without much straining in 1919, when they controlled 2/3 of the Estonian territory on which the Estland Labor Commune was created, immediately recognized by the Bolshevik government in St. Petersburg. In fact, only the current nationally concerned "historians" of official Tallinn can call that war "liberation". In fact, everything was completely different: on the one hand it’s simpler, on the other - more complicated.

First of all, the same class struggle was going on in Estonia (just like that without any quotes!), Which was blazing not only throughout the Russian Empire, but also in half of Europe. Incidentally, when the Provisional Government, which proclaimed itself the supreme authority in Tallinn, was worth the last German soldier to hide behind the horizon, urged compatriots to "defend their native land with their breasts", this did not arouse the slightest enthusiasm in local residents. Mobilization had to be announced. And therefore it is not surprising that in the “Estonian war of liberation” not only Estonians fought with the Estonians. It was also attended by legions of "volunteers" from Finland, Sweden, Denmark, eager to "stop Bolshevism." But the main thing was different here. From Estonian "independence" in the blink of an eye there would have been no stone unturned if not for ... Russians! The speech in this case is about the White Guard units: the Pskov Corps, the Northern Corps, the Russian Volunteer Northern Army, the Northwest Army ... All these are names, in fact, of the same military formation, which has changed its name several times during its existence , command and, frankly - the owners. Yes, yes ... We will not be likened to the newly-minted "monarchists", who, by their choice, enlist in the "heroes" and "saviors of the Fatherland" all who fought in the Civil in the ranks of the White Movement. We will be objective. The Pskov Corps was created under the direct patronage of yesterday's enemies - the Germans, after the conclusion of the Brest Peace with the Bolsheviks, who began to quickly form White Guard units in the occupied territories. To finally strangle those with whom we agreed, naturally. They promised a lot - guns, rifles, uniforms and even 150 million of the most real imperial brands for expenses ... It all ended up in the fact that a revolution broke out in Berlin and the retreating Germans used the Russian units they created - barefoot and naked, without cartridges and guns, as a "human shield" to cover from the rapidly advancing reds of his own forced "Drap nah Westen." And so they reached the borders of barely hatched Estonia. That's where it all started ...

Russian courage and meanness of the Entente

For some time confusion and reeling reigned in the Corps. One part of the leaders believed that it was necessary to further retreat with the Germans. The other “fathers-commanders” stood on the opportunity to take the service to the Entente — allies nevertheless ... However, the arrogant British turned away from the Russian officers who came to express their humility: you supposedly “were under the protection of the enemy. " If you want, go to the Estonians for service. No - roll! And actually, there was nowhere to roll. In December 1918, the Pskov Corps, renamed the North, became part of the army of the newborn “free Estonia”. I must say that in this combination, all its participants were worth each other. The British (and of all the representatives of the Entente, the Corps dealt mainly with them) and the Estonians saw the Russians in the role of "cannon fodder", which can be used for their own selfish needs. Gentlemen, the White Guards, however, also deep down in their hearts saw both those and others with their claims. They wanted at the expense of the new “allies” to gain a foothold, arm themselves and uniforms, and then take Petrograd and return “a united and indivisible Russia”. And then we’ll deal with your “independence”. So it is not surprising that in the end it turned out ... what happened. The Northern Corps began its first attack on Petrograd, numbering barely 3 thousand soldiers with as many as 6 cannons, without waiting for the promised military assistance from the British. Nevertheless, there were some chances for success then. The front of the Red Army was broken through and the White Guards, with any support from the Allies, took Gdov, Yamburg, Pskov, and in June reached the approaches to Petrograd. However, as soon as the Bolsheviks threw reinforcements to the "cradle of revolution", the "brave" Estonians friendlyly rolled back from the city, not even trying to engage in battles. The offensive choked ...

The British, by the way, in that formidable summer for Petrograd engaged in its bombing from airfields located in Finland. And did you think that the first bombs that fell on the city were German, dropped in 1941? I will disappoint you ... It didn’t go so much to Petrograd as it did to Kronstadt, which the methodical British burned very high quality. You see, they were worried about the “danger of the Red Fleet in the Baltic.” With the second offensive, it turned out about the same. And even though the Corps had already grown to the Northwest Army by that time. There are quite reliable memories that, despite the increase in the number of white troops, General Nikolai Yudenich, who headed it, perfectly understood the whole suicidal nature of this venture, and the British naturally pushed him into the attack, promising, as usual, “unlimited support”. What kind of support this was, beautifully described in his memoirs by the beautiful Russian writer Alexander Kuprin, who served in the headquarters of the NWA. Cannons without locks, spoiled cartridges and rifles that withstood no more than three shots ... Everything else is of the same quality. As a result, despite the fact that the offensive was even more successful than the previous one (Yudenich’s army took Gatchina and Tsarskoye Selo in October, captured Pulkovo Heights and even burst into Ligovka), in November, bleeding, it rolled back to its own final death. Estonians by that time simply abandoned the front, and the British finally withdrew from the help of the White Guards. At the same time (from the spring of 1919), the Bolsheviks were actively negotiating with the Estonian government. At the time of the autumn offensive, they were suspended, and then ... judging by further events, they still managed to agree. At the cost of extremely unpleasant territorial concessions, the Bolsheviks received a solution to a host of issues: the cessation of hostilities, the elimination of the constant threat to Petrograd from the North-West. And most importantly - the destruction of one of the main centers of white movement.

"Independence" on Russian bones

It would seem that the Tartu world, which Tallinn is so fond of today, was an unprecedented generosity on the part of the Bolsheviks. Not only were they the first in the world to recognize the Estonian “state” (although they were, however, themselves unrecognized by anyone), they also gave the “neighbors” a lot of territories: Narva Volost, Volost Kose and Skaryatino, Pechora Territory. In addition, Tallinn was recognized as "free from the debts of the Russian Empire" and any obligations to the RSFSR. In addition, the Bolsheviks also unfastened him 15 million gold rubles from the gold reserves of the Empire! Why would such generosity? She had two very specific reasons. First, the Tartu Treaty was concluded not only by the Bolsheviks from the RSFSR, but the most notorious Trotskyists. The delegation was led by the most faithful associate of Lev Davidovich, Adolf Ioffe, at whose funeral Trotsky will subsequently last time publicly “push” fiery speeches ... This audience, quite calmly and without the slightest twinge of conscience, distributed pieces of Russia to the right and to the left, which in Brest, which Tartu For she firmly believed in the “world revolution”, which today-tomorrow would sweep away the whole “kingdom of world capital”, destroying the states and borders between them. So why bother? In fact, only their worst enemy, Stalin, was able to return the squandered Trotskyists. It somehow didn’t work out with the “world revolution”, and then I had to reassemble the lands later - where by diplomacy, and where by the bayonet. Well, Estonia, by the way, returned to the “family of peoples” under the wise leadership of the Leader purely voluntarily ... However, this is a topic for a slightly different conversation, and now we are more interested in the second reason. And she sounded in the text of the agreement as follows: “both countries undertake not to allow actions on their territories by organizations hostile to the other side of organizations and forces.” Well, the Bolsheviks, in the form of a goodwill gesture, dismissed the division of the Estonian red riflemen (immediately finding them to be used in other units and divisions), but the Estonians approached the matter with all seriousness.

Units of Yudenich who departed from Petrograd were, in the words of the most restrained historians, "interned." In fact, the White Guards, who bought at the cost of their blood the wretched "independence" of the dwarf Baltic "state", were disarmed and stopped at the border. They retreated for several days, among which there were many children and women (they went on campaigns with families, and returned with them, and even “sprouted” along the way with refugees from the Petrograd province who did not want to live with the Bolsheviks), they were kept in a bare field, on a crackling frost. People were forced to sleep in the snow literally. How many are left there ?! According to the same Kuprin, who witnessed this nightmare, "people froze in heaps." The worst thing was the fate of the Talab regiment, who covered the withdrawal, who was the last to approach the Estonian borders. His soldiers and officers were disarmed, and ... threatened, they drove back to the red machine guns! Under crossfire, the regiment lay down to the last man. Those Russians whom they finally started letting into Estonian territory were first robbed by the "hospitable owners" to the skin, tearing even their crosses from them, and then thrown into concentration camps! What else do you want to call the destroyed buildings of factories at the Narva-2 station, where they were driven in droves together, like cattle ?! However, Auschwitz or Dachau, I'm sorry for cynicism, in comparison with this hell, it might seem a very comfortable place. There, at least, there were bunks and feeding, albeit a baland. In the Estonian hell for the Russians there wasn’t that either. The typhus epidemic that finally broke out among the White Guards and refugees was, of course, an inevitable pattern. The total number of cases was estimated at 14 thousand. Few survived. However, a new circle of the underworld was also waiting for them - the "grateful" Estonian government drove the poor people who survived the famine and typhoid, who staggered from the wind, into logging! Conditions, as you know, were not much different from camp conditions. Well, except that they fed me at least somehow ... By the way, even those who had gone through all these mockeries of the shelter on the Estonian soil that they defended were not found. Out of 2 and a half thousand applications for citizenship, the local authorities granted one and a half hundred! The rest were simply thrown out of the country ...

In the same 1920, a former member of the Provisional Government, Alexander Guchkov, as an intelligent person who understood that it was worth talking to the owners and not the Sixes, sent an angry letter to the British War Secretary, Winston Churchill, about everything that was happening in Estonia with the Russians. Yes, yes, the very one whom some of our mournful heads consider compatriots to be "Russia's great friend" and its "ally." To his cry of souls about “completely intoxicated by the wine of national independence”, Estonians of Russians not only “massively evicted from the country without explanation”, but also “started to kill in the streets”, that they were “treated worse in the country” than with cattle, ”Sir Winston reacted like a true British lord and peer. That is - did not react in any way. For London, everything went according to plan, and the more Russians died, the more successful the plan was. They simply planned to "deal" with the Bolsheviks a little later. It was not their fault that it did not work out for so long - they tried as best they could.

Raising the question of returning the Russian-Estonian border to the framework of the Tartu Treaty today, which has completely lost its force after Estonia joined the USSR in 1940, Tallinn is playing very dangerous games for itself. How, for example, about paying compensation for the deliberate destruction of thousands of Russian people who fought under the same banner that flutters over the Kremlin today? Since returning to the tragic events of those years, is it really possible to step over Russian blood shed by Estonians? And in response to another blather about the "Soviet occupation" and the like, it would be worth remembering the tens of thousands of Estonians who faithfully served the Third Reich and killed our ancestors. About those who fought against the Red Army in parts of the Wehrmacht and the SS. About Estonian punishers from the “auxiliary battalions” of Schuma, atrocious, including in Russia, in the Pskov and Novgorod regions. Tens of thousands are not an exaggeration, but a figure rounded down ... So why not show Tallinn an account for their crimes? However, it seems, alas, unlikely that the Kremlin would respond to yet another boorish trick of the Baltic (or any other) “non-brothers” who lost their shores in this way. But until this happens, arrogant claims and demands will be made to Russia more and more ...